Air India pilot caught Smuggling 7 Gold Bars at Mumbai Airport worth Rs 15.6 lakh: On Wednesday, The Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs department at the airport grabbed a senior pilot of Air India and allegedly impounded 530 grams of gold, worth over Rs 15 lakh, from his possession.

The customs department’s officials detained him at the CST Mumbai Airport on Wednesday.

According to the reports of HT that Vijay Pratap, 45-year old pilot employed as a commander with the national carrier was found to be carrying seven gold bars in his belongings which was confiscated by the Air Intelligence Unit during baggage screening.

The pilot Vijay Pratap had landed at CST international airport, Mumbai after flying from Jeddah.

A customs official said the Pratap was attempting to conceal the gold bars in his hand baggage and checked-in baggage.

The official said that Pratap has admitted to possession, concealment and carriage of gold bars which were being smuggled into India.

According to the report of TOI that the pilot said he had been given a packet of dry fruits to be given to his relative in Mumbai. He also told officials that he was unaware about the gold bars in his baggage.

The report however, mentions that a customs official had marked his luggage for further examination but the pilot had wiped away the mark possibly in an attempt to avoid further scrutiny.

The gold has been impounded under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and the statement of the pilot Vijay Pratap was recorded.

Vijay Pratap has been employed in the aviation industry for the last two decades. He was not arrested because the price of gold impounded is less than worth Rs 20 lakh. Further investigations are being done by the concerned authority.